OriginChapter 4
Then Taibai Jinxing and the Handsome Monkey King emerged together from the depths of the grotto-heaven and mounted the clouds. As it happened, Wukong’s Somersault Cloud was unlike all others and exceedingly swift. It left the Gold Star far behind and reached the South Heaven Gate first. Just as he was about to gather in his cloud and proceed, the Heavenly King Zengzhang, leading Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi, Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao, together with a host of mighty heavenly soldiers, blocked the gate with spears, sabers, swords, and halberds, refusing to let him enter. The Monkey King said, “This old Gold Star is a deceitful fellow. Since he invited your old grandson, why have these men raised blades and spears to bar the road?” While he was shouting, the Gold Star suddenly arrived. Wukong confronted him angrily: “You old fellow, how have you deceived me? You said you came bearing the Jade Emperor’s decree to summon me, yet why have you ordered these people to block the Heaven Gate and refuse my entry?” The Gold Star laughed. “Great King, restrain your anger. You have never before come to this heavenly palace, and you have no name here. The heavenly soldiers have never known you; how could they allow you to enter without authorization? Once you meet the Celestial Worthy, receive an immortal register, and have an official name entered, you may come and go as you please. Who would bar you then?” Wukong said, “If that is the case, fine. I will not go in.” The Gold Star seized him by the hand again. “You must still come in with me.”
As they approached the Heaven Gate, the Gold Star called out loudly, “Heavenly generals and soldiers of the Heaven Gate, great and small, open the way. This is an immortal from the lower realm. I bear the Jade Emperor’s sacred decree and have summoned him here.” The Heavenly King Zengzhang and all the heavenly soldiers immediately gathered their weapons and withdrew to either side. Only then did the Monkey King believe his words. He entered within with the Gold Star, walking slowly and observing everything. Truly:
At first ascending to the upper realm, newly entering Heaven: ten thousand roads of golden light rolled through vermilion rainbow clouds; a thousand strands of auspicious vapor spouted purple mist. The South Heaven Gate itself was darkly jade-green, fashioned from colored glass; brilliantly gleaming, it was adorned with precious jade. On either side stood several dozen Heaven-Guarding Marshals, each leaning against a pillar, holding battle-axes and bearing command pennons. In every direction stood more than a dozen golden-armored divine men, each gripping a halberd, hanging a whip, or carrying a saber and sword. The outer portions were wondrous enough, but within lay sights that astonished the mind: against the inner walls stood several great pillars, around which coiled red-bearded dragons with golden scales shining in the sun; there were also several long bridges, upon which circled red-crested phoenixes with varicolored plumage soaring through the air. Bright sunset clouds shimmered, reflecting the light of Heaven; emerald mist billowed, veiling the mouth of the Dipper.
In Heaven there were thirty-three Heavenly Palaces: the Yiqing Cloud Palace, the Vaisravana Palace, the Five Luminaries Palace, the Palace of the Sun, the Flower Music Palace, … each palace ridge swallowing golden roof-beasts. There were also seventy-two tiers of treasure halls: the Court Assembly Hall, the Lingxu Hall, the Precious Radiance Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Spiritual Official Hall, … each hall’s pillars arranged with jade qilin. Upon the Longevity Star Terrace bloomed famous flowers that never withered through a thousand thousand years; beside the alchemy furnace grew embroidered grasses evergreen through ten thousand ten-thousand years.
They came also before the Tower of the Sacred Court: crimson gauze robes, brilliant with stars; hibiscus crowns, radiant with gold and jade. Jade hairpins and pearl shoes, purple sashes and golden seals. When golden bells were struck, the memorials of the Three Offices were presented before the vermilion steps; when heavenly drums sounded, the myriad sages went to court before the King and paid their respects to the Jade Emperor.
They came also to the Numinous Firmament Treasure Hall, whose jade doors were studded with golden nails and whose vermilion gates were graced by dancing phoenixes. Covered walkways and winding corridors were everywhere exquisite and translucent; three-eaved roofs and clustered tiers rose one above another, with dragons and phoenixes soaring through them. Above was a great golden gourd finial, purple and majestic, brilliantly shining, round and smooth, dazzlingly bright. Below were Heavenly Consorts holding hanging palm-leaf fans, jade maidens carrying immortal towels, ferocious Heavenly Generals in charge of the court, and imposing immortal ministers guarding the imperial carriage. In the very center, upon a colored-glass platter, lay many layers upon layers of Taiyi elixirs; in an agate vase stood several crooked and twisting coral trees. Indeed, every sort of wondrous object existed in the Heavenly Palace, while on earth not one of them could be found. The Golden Palace, Silver Carriage, and Purple Abode, with wondrous flowers, jade grasses, and fine flowers. The Jade Rabbit who attends the King passed beside the altar; the Golden Crow who pays homage to the Sage flew beneath it. The Monkey King was destined to come to Heaven’s realm, not to fall into the mud and defilement of the human world.
Taibai Jinxing led the Handsome Monkey King to outside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. Without waiting for an announcement, he went straight before the imperial presence and bowed in court. Wukong stood upright at the side and did not yet perform the court礼, merely inclining his ear to hear what the Gold Star reported. The Gold Star said, “Your subject has received the sacred decree and has already summoned the demon-immortal here.” The Jade Emperor, lowering the imperial screen, asked, “Which one is the demon-immortal?” Wukong then bent his body and replied, “Your old grandson is.” The immortal ministers were all greatly startled and lost color. “This wild monkey! How dares he not bow and prostrate himself in greeting, but instead answer so: ‘Your old grandson is’? He deserves death, death indeed!” The Jade Emperor issued a decree: “That Sun Wukong is a demon-immortal from the lower realm, newly come into human form and ignorant of court礼. For now, pardon his offense.” All the immortal ministers cried, “We thank Your Majesty for Your grace.” Only then did the Monkey King face upward and make a great court礼. The Jade Emperor ordered the civil and military selection officials to examine what offices were vacant and appoint Sun Wukong to one. The Martial Star Lord Wuxing stepped forth and reported, “In the Heavenly Palace, every palace and hall, every direction and place, has no shortage of officials. Only the Imperial Horse Bureau lacks a chief administrator.” The Jade Emperor issued a decree: “Then appoint him Bimawen.” The assembled ministers called out their thanks for the grace, while he again merely made a great court礼. The Jade Emperor then sent the Star Official Mude to escort him to the Imperial Horse Bureau and take up his office.
The Monkey King was delighted and went directly to assume his office with the Star Official Mude. When the matter was complete, the Star Official Mude returned to the palace. Within the bureau, Wukong gathered the Bureau Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Registrar, Labor Officers, and officials of every rank. They inspected the bureau’s affairs and found that it possessed only a thousand heavenly horses. They were:
Huáliú, Qíjì, Lù’ěr, and Xiānlí; Long Medium, Purple Swallow, Wing-Embracing Sùshuāng; Juétí, Silver Bó, Yǎoniǎo, and Feihuang; Táotú, Fanyu, Red Hare, and Chaoguang; Yuhui, Mijing, Tengwu, and Shenghuang; Chasing Wind, Peerless Earth-Crosser, Feiyu, and Benxiao; Yipiao, Red Lightning, Bronze Sparrow, and Floating Cloud; Conglong, Huwu, Peerless Dust, and Purple Scale; … the four extremities’ Dayuan steeds, the Eight Noble Steeds, the Nine Swift Steeds, peerless among those that travel a thousand li. Every one of these fine horses whinnied to the wind and chased lightning with vigorous spirit, trampling mist and climbing clouds with strength that seemed endless.
The Monkey King examined the registers and counted the horses. Within the bureau, the Registrar managed the collection and preparation of fodder; the Labor Officers managed washing the horses, tying up grass, bringing water, and cooking feed; the Bureau Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor helped urge the work along. Bimawen neither slept by day nor night, nourishing the horses. By day, frolicking with them was acceptable; by night, he watched them diligently. Whenever a horse slept, he drove it up to eat grass; whenever one wandered about, he caught it and brought it back to the manger. The heavenly horses, seeing him, flattened their ears and pawed their hooves together. Instead, they were nourished until their flesh was plump and their coats sleek. Without his noticing, more than half a month passed.
One day, during a period of leisure, all the officials of the bureau arranged a banquet: first, to give him a welcome; second, to congratulate him. While they were drinking merrily, the Monkey King suddenly stopped his cup and asked, “What sort of official title is this Bimawen of mine?” They replied, “The official name is simply that.” He asked again, “What rank does this office hold?” They answered, “It has no rank.” The Monkey King said, “No rank? I suppose that means it is the greatest of all?” They said, “It is not great, not great. It is merely called ‘outside the established grades.’” The Monkey King asked, “Why is it called ‘outside the established grades’?” They said, “The lowest rank. Such an office is the lowest and smallest of all, fit only for watching horses. Once a bureau chief like Your Excellency takes office, if he is diligent and feeds the horses until they are fat, all he receives is a word of praise: ‘Good.’ If they are even slightly thin, he is reprimanded; if they are seriously injured or lost, he is fined, ordered to make restitution, and questioned for his crime.”
Hearing this, the Monkey King felt a fire rise in his heart. Biting his teeth in fury, he said, “They hold your old grandson in such contempt! In Flower-Fruit Mountain I was honored as king and ancestor. How could they deceive me into coming here to raise their horses? Horse-raising is a lowly service for youngsters and inferiors. How could it be a proper position for me? I will not do it, I will not do it! I am leaving.” With a sudden crash, he overturned the official desk, drew the treasure from his ear, shook it once until it became as thick as a bowl, and, displaying all his skills along the way, fought out of the Imperial Horse Bureau and went straight to the South Heaven Gate. The heavenly soldiers knew that he had received an immortal register and was Bimawen, so they dared not stop him and allowed him to fight his way out through the Heaven Gate.
In a moment, he lowered his cloud and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain. There he saw the Four Great Leaders and the demon kings of the various caves drilling their troops. The Monkey King shouted in a powerful voice, “Little ones, your old grandson has returned!” A throng of monkeys came to bow and welcomed him into the depths of the grotto-heaven, inviting him to ascend the treasure seat while they arranged wine to receive him. They all said, “Congratulations, Great King! You went to the upper realm for more than ten years and have surely returned in glory, having achieved your desires!” The Monkey King said, “It has only been a little more than half a month. Where did you get more than ten years?” The monkeys said, “Great King, you did not notice the passage of time in Heaven. One day in Heaven is one year in the lower realm. May we ask, Great King, what office did you hold?” The Monkey King waved his hand. “It is shameful to speak of it. That Jade Emperor does not know how to employ men. Seeing my appearance, he appointed me to something called Bimawen. It turned out to be a position raising horses for him, of the sort outside the established grades. When I first took office, I did not know this and merely amused myself in the Imperial Horse Bureau. Only today, when I asked my colleagues, did I learn how base it was. Your old grandson was furious, overturned the banquet, refused the official title, and came down here.” The monkeys said, “Good that you came! Good that you came! Here in this blessed land and grotto-heaven, as king, you have such dignity and happiness. How could you agree to be their horse groom?” They ordered the little ones to prepare wine quickly and dispel the Great King’s vexation.
While they were drinking and celebrating, someone came to report, “Great King, outside the gate are two one-horned Ghost Kings who wish to see you.” The Monkey King said, “Have them enter.” The Ghost King straightened his clothing, ran into the cave, and prostrated himself in worship. The Handsome Monkey King asked him, “Why have you come to see me?” The Ghost King said, “I have long heard that Your Great King welcomes worthy men, but have had no means of meeting you. Today I hear that Your Great King has received an immortal register from Heaven and returned in glory. I have specially brought one vermilion-yellow robe as a congratulatory gift. If you do not reject my lowliness and will accept me, I too may render the service of a dog or horse.” The Monkey King was delighted and put on the vermilion-yellow robe. All present joyfully arranged themselves in ranks and bowed before him. He immediately appointed the Ghost King Chief Commander and Vanguard of the Front Division. After thanking him for the grace, the Ghost King again asked, “Great King, you remained in Heaven for a long time. What office were you granted?” The Monkey King said, “The Jade Emperor slighted the worthy and appointed me to something called Bimawen.” Hearing this, the Ghost King continued, “With Your Great King’s divine powers, how could you raise horses for him? What would be wrong with becoming the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?” Hearing this, the Monkey King was beyond delighted and repeatedly cried, “Good! Good! Good!” He ordered the Four Great Leaders, “Quickly prepare a banner for me. On it, write the four large characters ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’ raise the pole, and hang it up. From this time onward, call me only the Great Sage Equal to Heaven; do not call me Great King anymore. You may also inform the demon kings of every cave, so that all will know.” This matter need not be discussed further.
Now, the next day, the Jade Emperor held court. He saw the Celestial Master Zhang leading the Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor of the Imperial Horse Bureau to kneel beneath the vermilion steps and report, “Long live Your Majesty. The newly appointed Bimawen, Sun Wukong, found his office too small and yesterday rebelled and descended from the Heavenly Palace.” As they were speaking, the Heavenly King Zengzhang led the heavenly soldiers from outside the South Heaven Gate and likewise reported, “For some unknown reason, Bimawen has left through the Heaven Gate.” Hearing this, the Jade Emperor immediately issued a decree: “Let the divine commanders of both routes return to their own offices. I shall send heavenly troops to capture this monster.” From among the ranks stepped forth Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, and the Third Prince Nezha. They crossed the ranks and reported, “Long live Your Majesty. Though your servant is unworthy, I request the decree to subdue this demon.” The Jade Emperor was delighted and immediately appointed the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing as Grand Marshal for Subduing Demons, and the Third Prince Nezha as the Great Divine Lord of the Three Altars and Sea Assemblies. At once they raised an army and descended to the lower realm.
Li Tianwang and Nezha bowed and took their leave. They went directly to their palace, mustered the three armies, and led all the commanders. They appointed the Giant Spirit God as vanguard, the Fish-Belly General to bring up the rear, and the Yaksha General to urge on the troops. In an instant they emerged beyond the South Heaven Gate and came straight to Flower-Fruit Mountain. Choosing a level place, they established a camp and ordered the Giant Spirit God to issue a challenge.
The Giant Spirit God received the order, readied himself in full, swung his floral-decorated battle-axe, and came to the outside of the Water-Curtain Cave. He saw many demons outside the small cave gate, all of them wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, and the like, brandishing spears and dancing swords as they leaped, fought, and roared. The Giant Spirit God shouted, “You wicked beasts! Go quickly and report to Bimawen: I am a heavenly general from the upper realm, acting under the Jade Emperor’s decree to subdue him here. Tell him to come out at once and surrender, lest all of you be wounded. ” The demons hurried back and forth, reporting within the cave, “Disaster! Disaster!” The Monkey King asked, “What disaster?” The demons said, “Outside the gate is a heavenly general who claims that your Great Sage’s official title is his concern and says he has come under the Jade Emperor’s sacred decree to subdue you. He orders you to come out and surrender quickly, so that our lives may be spared.” Hearing this, the Monkey King ordered, “Bring me my armor.” He put on the Purple-Gold Crown, donned the Golden Armor, stepped into Cloud-Treading Boots, took the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod in hand, led the multitude outside, and arrayed his forces.
The Giant Spirit God opened his eyes and looked him over. What a fine Monkey King:
His golden armor shone bright and clear;
His golden crown cast radiant light.
He raised one Golden-Hooped Rod;
His cloud shoes matched his feet just right.
His strange pair of eyes resembled stars;
His ears passed his shoulders, broad and tough.
His upright frame could change in countless ways;
His voice rang out like bells and chimes.
Sharp-mouthed and tusked, once Bimawen,
His heart was proud—he sought to be Equal to Heaven.
The Giant Spirit God shouted, “You impudent monkey! Do you recognize me?” Hearing this, the Great Sage quickly asked, “What sort of hairy god are you? Your old grandson has never met you. Quickly give your name.” The Giant Spirit God said, “You deceitful macaque! You do not recognize me. I am the Giant Spirit Heavenly General, vanguard under the command of the High God of the Divine Firmament, the Pagoda-Bearing Li Tianwang. I have now come under the Jade Emperor’s sacred decree to capture and subdue you. Quickly remove your armor and submit to Heaven’s grace, so that the beasts across this mountain may escape execution. If you say even half a word of refusal, I will turn you into dust in an instant.”
Hearing this, the Monkey King grew furious. “Braggart hairy god, do not boast or wag your long tongue. I intended to kill you with one blow of my rod, but feared there would be no one to carry back the message. I will spare your life. Hurry back to Heaven and tell the Jade Emperor that he has no use for worthy men. Your old grandson possesses boundless abilities—why make me raise his horses? Look at the title written on my banner. If he promotes me according to that title, I shall not move my weapons, and Heaven and earth will naturally become peaceful. If he refuses, I will attack the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and make sure he cannot sit securely upon his Dragon Throne.”
Hearing these words, the Giant Spirit God quickly opened his eyes and looked into the wind. Sure enough, outside the gate stood a tall pole, and upon it hung a banner bearing the four great characters “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” The Giant Spirit God gave three cold laughs. “This impudent monkey knows nothing of proper conduct, yet dares behave so outrageously and call himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Have a good taste of my axe!” He raised it and chopped straight down at the Monkey King’s head.
The Monkey King was one who knew how to fight without haste. He raised the Golden-Hooped Rod to meet it. This was a fine battle:
The rod was named Compliant; the axe, Floral-Decorated. The two had just met and knew nothing of each other’s depth. Axe and rod crossed from left and right. One secretly concealed divine marvels; the other loudly proclaimed his boasts. When their arts were set in motion, clouds and mist were sprayed forth; when their hands unfolded, earth and sand were scattered. The heavenly general possessed divine powers and some skill, but the Monkey King’s transformations truly had no bounds. The rod rose as though a dragon played in water; the axe came like a phoenix piercing flowers. The Giant Spirit’s fame was spread throughout the world, but his abilities were inferior indeed: the Great Sage lightly swung his iron rod, struck him once upon the head, and numbed his entire body.
The Giant Spirit God could not withstand him. After the Monkey King struck him upon the head, he hurriedly raised his axe to block. With a clatter, the axe handle was smashed into two pieces. He hastily withdrew and fled the field to save his life. The Monkey King laughed. “A weakling, a weakling! I have already spared you. Hurry and carry back the report, hurry and carry back the report.”
The Giant Spirit God returned to the camp gate and went straight to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. He hurriedly knelt and said, “Bimawen truly possesses tremendous divine powers. Your subordinate could not fight him and has returned defeated to request punishment.” Li Tianwang grew angry. “That fellow has blunted my army’s edge! Drag him out and execute him!” The Third Prince Nezha stepped forth and bowed. “Father King, calm your anger and pardon the Giant Spirit’s offense for now. Let your child go forth once; then we shall know his depth.” The Heavenly King accepted this counsel and ordered the Giant Spirit God to return to camp, await punishment, and continue his duties.
The Third Prince Nezha, armor and helmet in perfect order, leaped from the camp and rushed to the outside of the Water-Curtain Cave. Wukong was just returning to gather in his troops when he saw Nezha advancing bravely. What a prince:
His hair in two tufts barely covered his brow;
His downy coat had not yet reached his shoulders.
Divinely gifted, keen and quick to comprehend,
His bones were fine, his features pure and fair.
Truly he was Heaven’s qilin son;
Indeed he was a colored phoenix immortal of mist and rosy cloud.
A dragon’s offspring, naturally no common visage;
In youthful years, wholly unlike the mortal world.
He bore six kinds of divine weapons;
His soaring transformations reached beyond all bounds.
Now, by the Jade Emperor’s golden proclamation,
He was conferred the title of Three Altars Sea Assembly.
Wukong came forward and asked, “Whose little brother are you? Why have you trespassed so near my gate?” Nezha shouted, “Impudent demon monkey! Do you not recognize me? I am Nezha, the Third Prince of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. I have come by the Jade Emperor’s command to capture you.” Wukong laughed. “Little Prince, your milk teeth have not yet fallen out, and your fetal down is not yet dry, yet you dare make such boasts? I will spare your life and not strike you. Just look at the title written on my banner and report to the Jade Emperor: if he grants me this official title, there will be no need to mobilize troops, and I will submit of my own accord. If he does not satisfy my wishes, I will certainly attack the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.”
Nezha raised his head and looked. There were the four characters “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” Nezha said, “How much divine power can this demon monkey possess that he dares take such a title? Do not fear. Take my sword!” Wukong said, “I will simply stand here without moving and let you hack at me a few times.”
Nezha, enraged, gave a great shout and cried, “Transform!” At once he became three-headed and six-armed, ferocious and terrible, holding six weapons: the Demon-Slaying Sword, the Demon-Cutting Saber, the Demon-Binding Rope, the Demon-Subduing Pestle, the Embroidered Ball, and the Fire Wheels. Brandishing them in every direction, he rushed forward to strike. Seeing this, Wukong was startled. “This little fellow does know a few tricks. No more discourtesy—watch my powers.” The Great Sage shouted, “Transform!” He too became three-headed and six-armed. Shaking the Golden-Hooped Rod once, he made it into three rods. His six hands seized the three rods and blocked the attack. This battle truly shook earth and mountain:
Six-armed Nezha, the prince;
The Heaven-born Stone Monkey King—
When they met, they were true opponents,
Each meeting the other’s original stream.
One had been ordered down to the lower realm;
The other, in arrogance, stirred the Bull Dipper.
The Demon-Slaying Sword, its edge sharp and bright;
The Demon-Cutting Saber, so fierce it made ghosts and gods grieve.
The Demon-Binding Rope, like a flying python;
The Demon-Subduing Pestle, like a wolf’s head.
The Fire Wheels flashed and crackled, blazing bright;
Back and forth the Embroidered Ball rolled.
The Great Sage’s three Compliant Rods
Blocked before and guarded behind, employing every stratagem.
They fought bitterly through several bouts, with neither gaining advantage;
The prince’s heart refused to rest.
He made all six weapons multiply,
Hurling hundreds, thousands, millions, billions straight at the head.
The Monkey King feared nothing and laughed aloud;
His iron rods turned and flew according to his own plans.
One became a thousand, a thousand became ten thousand,
Filling the sky, dancing wildly like flying dragons.
The demon kings of every cave were frightened into shutting their doors;
The ghosts and monsters across the mountain hid their heads.
The divine weapons raged, and the clouds grew dark and gloomy;
The Golden-Hooped Rods and iron weapons shrilled in the wind.
On one side, the heavenly soldiers shouted, every man afraid;
On the other, the monkey demons waved flags, every one anxious.
Both sides fought fiercely, each displaying courage;
No one knew which was strong and which was weak.
The Third Prince and Wukong each displayed divine might, fighting thirty rounds. The prince’s six weapons became thousands upon thousands; Sun Wukong’s Golden-Hooped Rod became tens of thousands upon tens of thousands. In midair they resembled falling raindrops and shooting stars, with neither victor nor vanquished.
As it happened, Wukong’s hands were swift and his eyes sharp. Amid the confusion, he pulled out one of his hairs and cried, “Transform!” It became his true likeness, holding a rod and engaging Nezha. His true body, however, sprang away and came around behind Nezha. He struck him on the left arm with a blow of the rod. Nezha was in the midst of casting his spell when he heard the wind from the rod. He hurriedly tried to dodge, but could not move his hands in time and was struck. Bearing the pain, he fled. He withdrew his transformation, restored the six weapons to his body, and returned defeated.
Li Tianwang had already seen this from the battle line and was about to lead troops to help when the prince suddenly appeared before him, trembling as he reported, “Father King, Bimawen truly has great abilities. Even with all my powers, your child could not defeat him; he has wounded my arm.” The Heavenly King was greatly alarmed. “With such divine powers, how can we overcome him?” The prince said, “Outside his cave gate he has raised a banner bearing the four characters ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ He boasts that if the Jade Emperor grants him this official title, he will lay down his weapons and come to submit. If he is not given this title, he will attack the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.” The Heavenly King said, “Since this is so, do not contend with him for now. Go to the upper realm and report these words. Then send more heavenly soldiers to surround and capture the fellow. It will not be too late.” The prince, suffering from his wound and unable to fight again, returned with the Heavenly King to Heaven to present their report. This matter need not be discussed further.
Now the Monkey King returned victorious to the mountain. The seventy-two cave demon kings and the six sworn brothers all came to congratulate him. In the blessed land and grotto-heaven, they drank and rejoiced without limit. He said to the six sworn brothers, “Since I, your younger brother, am called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you may also be called Great Sages.” The Bull Demon King suddenly shouted, “My worthy younger brother speaks reasonably. I shall call myself the Great Sage Peaceful to Heaven.” The Flood Demon King said, “I shall call myself the Great Sage Covering the Seas.” The Roc Demon King said, “I shall call myself the Great Sage Cloud-Reversing.” The Lion-Camel King said, “I shall call myself the Great Sage Moving Mountains.” The Macaque King said, “I shall call myself the Great Sage Venting the Wind.” The Yu Beast King said, “I shall call myself the Great Sage Driving the Gods.” Thus the Seven Great Sages each acted as he pleased and proclaimed his own title. After enjoying themselves for a day, they all dispersed.
Now Li Tianwang and the Third Prince led the assembled generals directly to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and reported, “Your subjects received the sacred decree and led an army to the lower realm to subdue the demon-immortal Sun Wukong. Unexpectedly, he possessed vast divine powers, and we could not defeat him. We therefore hope that Your Majesty will add troops and destroy him.” The Jade Emperor said, “Surely a single demon monkey cannot possess so much ability that you require reinforcements?” The prince stepped forward and reported, “May Your Majesty pardon your subject’s offense of death. The demon monkey wields an iron rod. He first defeated the Giant Spirit God, then wounded your subject’s arm. Outside his cave gate he has raised a banner bearing the four characters ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ He says that if Your Majesty appoints him to this office, he will lay down his weapons and come to submit; otherwise he will attack the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.” Hearing this, the Jade Emperor was astonished. “How dares this demon monkey be so arrogant? Let all the generals execute him at once!”
As he spoke, Taibai Jinxing stepped forth from the ranks and reported, “That demon monkey knows only how to speak, not the difference between high and low. If we send more troops to fight him, I fear we may not be able to subdue him for some time and will only weary the army. It would be better if Your Majesty showed great mercy once more and issued another decree of amnesty, making him the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Simply grant him an empty title—an office without salary.” The Jade Emperor asked, “What does ‘an office without salary’ mean?” The Gold Star said, “His name will be Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but he will be given no affairs to administer and no stipend. Let him be maintained between Heaven and earth, gathering in his wicked heart so that he does not become arrogant again. In this way, perhaps Heaven and earth will be peaceful and the realm beneath the seas will attain tranquility.” Hearing this, the Jade Emperor said, “We shall follow your memorial.” He immediately ordered a decree issued and again commanded the Gold Star to lead it.
The Gold Star again left through the South Heaven Gate and went straight to the outside of the Water-Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain. This time the place was different from before:威風凜凜 and filled with dense killing spirit. Every kind of demon essence was there; nothing was absent. Each one held a sword, grasped a spear, carried a saber, or brandished a staff, roaring and leaping about. When they saw the Gold Star, they all came forward to attack. The Gold Star said, “Call your leaders here. Trouble yourselves to report to your Great Sage that I am an envoy sent by the Upper Emperor, and that I bear a sacred decree inviting him.” The demons immediately ran inside and reported, “Outside is an old man who says he is an envoy from the upper realm and has a decree inviting you.” Wukong said, “Good that he came! Good that he came! It must be that Taibai Jinxing who came before. Though the office he offered me last time was unworthy, I did at least visit Heaven once and learned the roads within and beyond the Heaven Gate. Since he has come again, he must bear good intentions.” He ordered all the leaders to open the flags and drums and arrange a formation to welcome him.
The Great Sage then led the assembled monkeys, wearing his crown and armor, with the vermilion-yellow robe over his armor, cloud shoes upon his feet. He hurried out of the cave, bowed, and performed a ritual greeting, calling loudly, “Old Star, please enter. Forgive me the offense of failing to welcome you.”
The Gold Star hastened forward and went straight into the cave. Facing south, he stood and said, “I now inform the Great Sage: previously, because the Great Sage disliked his office for being too small, he abandoned the Imperial Horse Bureau. The officials great and small of that bureau reported the matter to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor issued a decree: ‘Whenever an official is appointed, he rises from lowly to honored. Why did he find the office too small?’ Li Tianwang then led Nezha down to the lower realm to fight you. Not knowing the extent of the Great Sage’s divine powers, they were defeated and returned to Heaven, reporting: ‘The Great Sage has raised a banner demanding to become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ The assembled martial generals were still wavering, so this old man risked his own offense to memorialize the Great Sage, preventing the raising of an army and requesting that Your Great King be granted an immortal register. The Jade Emperor approved the memorial. Therefore I have come to invite you.”
Wukong laughed. “Last time you went to such trouble, and now again you have shown me favor. Many thanks, many thanks! But has Heaven truly granted me the official title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven?” The Gold Star said, “I memorialized the title and received approval before daring to lead the decree here. If anything fails to satisfy you, simply have this old man bear the punishment.”
The Monkey King was overjoyed. He earnestly invited the Gold Star to remain for a banquet, but the Gold Star declined. Thus they mounted auspicious clouds and came to the outside of the South Heaven Gate. All the heavenly soldiers and generals greeted them with folded hands. They entered directly beneath the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. The Gold Star bowed and reported, “Your subject has received the decree and summoned Bimawen Sun Wukong, who has now arrived.” The Jade Emperor said, “Let that Sun Wukong come forward. We now proclaim you the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, an office of the highest rank. But you must not behave recklessly.”
The Monkey merely faced upward and made a court礼, saying, “I thank Your Majesty for the grace.” The Jade Emperor immediately ordered the artisans Zhang and Lu of the two work divisions to construct, to the right of the Peach of Immortality Garden, a residence for the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Within the residence they established two offices: one called the Office of Serenity, the other the Office of Tranquil Spirit. Each office possessed immortal clerks to attend and assist him. He also sent the Five Dipper Star Lords to escort Wukong to his post, and additionally bestowed two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers, ordering him to calm his heart, settle his will, and never again behave recklessly.
The Monkey King accepted and carried out the decree. That very day he went with the Five Dipper Star Lords to his residence, opened the wine bottles, and drank to the full with everyone. After seeing the star officials back to their palace, he was at last completely satisfied, rejoicing with boundless delight. In Heaven he lived happily, without worry or obstruction. Indeed:
His immortal name is forever entered in the Register of Long Life;
He shall not fall into the cycle of rebirth, but be transmitted through the ages.
What happened afterward is not yet known. Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.